Opinion No. Oag 70-77, (1977)

ROBERT W. WING, District Attorney Pierce County

You request my opinion whether the Register of Deeds in Pierce County is required to collect recording fees in accordance with sec. 59.57(12), Stats., prior to recording orders issued by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) pursuant to the forest croplands law, sec. 77.02(3), Stats., and the woodland tax law, sec. 77.16(3), Stats. You state that the practice in Pierce County is for the Register of Deeds to hold such DNR orders until the recording fee is paid by the owner of the property in question. It is my opinion that such orders must be…